CLS (C257) [Official] Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C257)

[Red2847]

The C218 was less spec sensitive because of the obvious banana shape and visual drama. Regardless of whether its a facelifted or pre-facelifted one it stood out amongst the F10 5-Series. W213 E-Class and C7 A6.

Honestly, the w218 facelifted amg 63s is a stunning looking car. Easily better than any of the ones you mentioned, and way nicer than the new model c257 cls. Hell, I’ll take that even over the GT63 as far as exterior aesthetics are concerned.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

A 30mm drop and 15mm spacers courtesy of H&R have an amazing effect on the C257s' appearance:

Even with the matte paint and black wheels (a configuration that I just love to hate), this looks...almost...good. Imagining it in an elegant glossy metallic hue with those satin silver 21" AMG Y-spokes, I envision something that would be absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Centurion]

Honestly, the w218 facelifted amg 63s is a stunning looking car. Easily better than any of the ones you mentioned, and way nicer than the new model c257 cls.

I have not warmed up to the C257. It's one of the rare Mercs that I simply wouldn't want to own because of the ungaingly rear. On the other hand the two previous generations of the CLS had my heart pumping with lust.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I have not warmed up to the C257. It's one of the rare Mercs that I simply wouldn't want to own because of the ungaingly rear. On the other hand the two previous generations of the CLS had my heart pumping with lust.

I'm actually having more of a problem trying to like the X290. Perhaps that is due to seeing them mostly (well, the few irl sightings that I have personally experienced) in matte colors and with black rims. For me, absolutely cringe worthy. A whale in a hooligans' attire. The X290 can exude an attractive brutish elegance if configured "properly". Alas, it appears that the target group in my neck of the woods have an affinity for hooligan whales.

I've seen more C257s' in attractive, classically elegant configurations-and I imagine that this has influenced my perceptions. And I simply prefer its' roofline as well.

 

[Centurion]

I'm actually having more of a problem trying to like the X290. Perhaps that is due to seeing them mostly (well, the few irl sightings that I have personally experienced) in matte colors and with black rims. For me, absolutely cringe worthy. A whale in a hooligans' attire. The X290 can exude an attractive brutish elegance if configured "properly". Alas, it...

Haha I like your analogy and I get it. At Goodwood there was a matte black X290 with black alloys and it seriously looked like a huge oversized wharthog.

 

[Red2847]

I have not warmed up to the C257. It's one of the rare Mercs that I simply wouldn't want to own because of the ungaingly rear. On the other hand the two previous generations of the CLS had my heart pumping with lust.

I agree, and I also think it was done on purpose in order to make the amg GT4 stand out more so as the better looking version.


The previous cls’s also had to fill the shoes of being full fledged cls63’s, I think that’s why they looked better as there wasn’t a higher version to take care of the 63 in the past, and if those ones didn’t do it right they wouldn’t sell well
And be competitive in the higher trim levels of those versions.


It’s funny how it seems like a pattern, like last generation cla looked terrible, cls looked great. Now, CLA looks great, and then cls is watered down for GT to look greater.

 

[Red2847]

I'm actually having more of a problem trying to like the X290. Perhaps that is due to seeing them mostly (well, the few irl sightings that I have personally experienced) in matte colors and with black rims. For me, absolutely cringe worthy. A whale in a hooligans' attire. The X290 can exude an attractive brutish elegance if configured "properly". Alas, it...

I also would like to add, that I think from day one the CLS has the best formula of design for the “4-door coupe” as it has that perfect roofline/proportion and it has a normal trunk that sticks out from the back, similar to a sedan. Basically, looks like a very sleek sedan body style and I find this works best for it. The new Gt4 changes this style to a coupe-hatchback that just looks too big, droopy rear (and needs big spoiler up all the time to fix that) and longer roofline- just not as good as the CLS formula for this style with that hatchback rear end.


I still think however the c257 was made to look more bland in order for x290 to stand out more in the crowd...I just wish they made a better 3rd Gen cls, and a proper cls63 evolution instead of dropping the cls63 which was one of the best designs they ever did

With that said, in normal metallic paint I am sure it will look much much better. The few I’ve seen in glossy black paint have looked elegant and aggressive, so would need the same spec to compare to c257 to make a better comparison

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Disagree. The new CLS is stunning to behold. Now that the the A7 has FINALLY arrived, I can confidently say the Benz trumps the Audi. The A7 is going to look dated before its time.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

Disagree. The new CLS is stunning to behold. Now that the the A7 has FINALLY arrived, I can confidently say the Benz trumps the Audi. The A7 is going to look dated before its time.

I also find that Audis' design team have done a far more cohesive job on the A6. The A7s' flanks are just a tad too busy methinks. Subtracting a tendon line could have benefitted the cars' looks. Perhaps the upcoming RS7 will correct that particular visual element with its' heavily flared wheel arches and wider stance as an "eye-catcher".

 

[Red2847]

^ I felt the cls63 w218 made those rear wheel arch’s look much more well suited on the AMG model, vs the regular cls so it could be the RS7 will do the same.


Agree on new cls looking better than new a7, but still not as special as past models, and done purposely, and no more cls63.

 

[EKaru]

2019 Mercedes-AMG CLS53 4Matic – A Fast, Stylish Four-Door

Why does the much smaller E53 coupe weigh 130 lbs more than the CLS53?

2019 Mercedes-AMG E53 Coupe – High-Tech Grand Tourer

 

[Serpens]

Probably the extra bracing required for it to withstand safety standards without a B-pillar.

 

[EKaru]

^
The old E-class coupe didn't have a B-pillar either and it was quite a bit lighter.

 

[Wunderkind]

^
The old E-class coupe didn't have a B-pillar either and it was quite a bit lighter.

The old one was based on the C-Class platform

 

[EKaru]

^
Ahh, yes... I forgot about that. I guess they were focusing more on luxury with this generation coupe. Still I find it surprising how heavy it is compared to the CLS.

 

[Serpens]

^
Ahh, yes... I forgot about that. I guess they were focusing more on luxury with this generation coupe. Still I find it surprising how heavy it is compared to the CLS.

Judging by the criticisms of the CLS' response to road irregularities from multiple outlets the CLS would've benefited from some additional strengthening. Perhaps there was too much focus on weight on that car.

 

[hovabongZA]

Tested on home soil high altitude.

CLS 53 AMG Coupe ran a 4,83 second 0-100 km/h, a 13,09 second 1/4 mile at 176,09 km/h, a 20,45 second 1/2 mile at 214,63 km/h, a 23,65 second 1 km at 225,13 km/h and a limited top speed 268,04 km/h at Gerotek.

 

[Robbie]

Tested on home soil high altitude.

CLS 53 AMG Coupe ran a 4,83 second 0-100 km/h, a 13,09 second 1/4 mile at 176,09 km/h, a 20,45 second 1/2 mile at 214,63 km/h, a 23,65 second 1 km at 225,13 km/h and a limited top speed 268,04 km/h at Gerotek.

You really should quote the source of the figures you provide? This isn't Car SA, that much I know.

 

[GTA45E]

The CLS53 glides on the autobahn so smoothly at high speed, pretty unreal.

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[Merc1]

That’s a Mercedes speciality, high speed stability.

M